Nppf

Just read about the National Planning Policy Framework.

Is any one really taken in by their babble about development only bringing about the lost of habitat only if "the need for, and the benefits of, the development in that location clearly outweigh the loss"?

Who decides if the "needs for" and the "benefits of" the development "clearly outweigh the loss"? The local people who don't want more housing?  Who have said as much in their meetings and petitions?  Who don't want more people moving into the area until there is work enough for the people already there?  Or the developers who have the bank balance to buy the solicitors and the opinion of the government?  Who have the money to keep putting forward application after application until the local people have not the money or the will to fight it any more?

I'm not a betting woman but I know who I'd put my money on.

And while habitats can be bought and sold for the money gained when the houses are built, the woodland and farm land of England will continue to disappear.  After all, if all else fails they can always slap a compulsory purchase order on the land like they did to the farm that used to be were Thorpe Marriott now stands.

However, all is not lost.

If you feel like standing up and telling the Government and its money bloated cronies were to sling their collective hooks, then the Woodland Trust does charge a large amount of money for membership.  And the money you give them will go to buy the woodlands up before the developers can get to them.  What is more, once the land is owned by the charity then compulsory purchase orders cannot stick.

Lets show the government the meaning of the words "The voice of the people is the voice of God!"

Faith

It has been said that a belief in an all-powerful deity is childish, unscientific and in some cases, out right harmful.

I beg to differ.

First of all I must point out the differences between faith, which is a belief in a something beyond our mortal understanding and religion, which is the belief of some humans that they can make other people do as they say, using a fear of Divine retribution as their beating stick.

I have, I hope, a fair amount of faith.  I also have, I hope, absolutely no truck with religion.

To me, faith encourages kindness and compassion.  The act of going to a place of faith is an act that draws the community together.  When that happens friendships and concerns are shared, people become more inclined to help their neighbours and people are encouraged to learn the art of conversation with those they don't know.  In short, the best part of communal worship is just that - the community.

If one is encouraged to take this if view of faith then it becomes a way of breaking down barriers and encouraging co-operation.  Makes me wonder what would happen if our national leaders were made to express their professed faiths together.

And finally - if there is not a God, those of us who believe in him have lost nothing.  However, if there is a God...

Successes

Having just received some very good news, it puts my in mind that many writers complain about the rejection letters, so I thought I'd have a review of my past submissions.

So far I have submitted forty five pieces of my work.  Of them I have only had five successes.  Of the other forty I have only received two rejection letters, both within the last two months.  That means thirty eight submissions without a please, a thank you or a whistle down an exhaust pipe.

Therefore, I say to the people receiving rejection letters - please spare a thought for those of us who are wallowing in the realm of ignore-dom.  If you have been flinging your work into the ether for so long without a reply, that you are on the verge of giving up all together, a rejection letter is a good thing.  It means that you are moving away from the place were the adjudicator/agent/publisher takes one look at your work and throws it out without a word.

If you take this point of view, a rejection letter is only one step away from being successful.